Kalu Pledges Stronger Legislative Support for Entrepreneurs, Awards ₦37 Million to 74 Young Nigerians

By Pan Afric Reporters

Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, has reaffirmed the commitment of the National Assembly to strengthening Nigeria’s legal and institutional framework to create an enabling environment for entrepreneurship, as he announced ₦500,000 grants for 74 young entrepreneurs under the Youth Enterprise and Empowerment Programme (YEEP) 2026.

The disclosure was contained in a statement issued by the Office of the Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives and signed by Levinus Nwabughiogu, Chief Press Secretary to the Deputy Speaker, on June 18, 2026.

Speaking at the YEEP 2026 Summit in Abuja, organized by Activate Success International Foundation and Flutterwave in partnership with the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) and Nestlé Nigeria, Kalu described entrepreneurship as a critical driver of economic transformation and national development.

Addressing hundreds of young entrepreneurs, policymakers and development partners, the Deputy Speaker said Nigeria’s future depends on its ability to convert youthful energy, innovation and creativity into sustainable economic opportunities.

“Every generation is confronted with its defining test. For ours, that test is not the absence of talent, nor the scarcity of ideas, nor even the lack of ambition. Our challenge is the transformation of abundant youthful energy into structured opportunity, and the conversion of potential into sustainable productivity,” Kalu stated.

He emphasized that the 10th National Assembly recognizes the strategic importance of investing in young people and remains committed to creating policies that support enterprise growth and innovation.

“We are already witnessing what is possible across Nigeria, where young entrepreneurs are building companies that solve real problems in finance, logistics, agriculture, education, and the creative economy. These are not isolated stories of success; they are signals of what becomes possible when structure meets determination,” he said.

The Deputy Speaker stressed that entrepreneurship should no longer be viewed as an alternative career path for a few individuals but as a cornerstone of national economic development.

“As legislators, we remain committed to strengthening the legal and institutional environment that allows enterprise to flourish. As a nation, we must begin to see entrepreneurship not as an alternative path for the few, but as a central pillar of national development and economic transformation,” he added.

Kalu also challenged young Nigerians to take advantage of their unique position as one of the most connected and globally exposed generations in the country’s history.

“Do not allow your circumstances to define your possibilities. Do not allow fear to delay your actions. Do not allow failure to discourage your persistence. You must believe in yourself and believe that you can. Not only can you achieve your dreams, you can dominate on the global stage,” he said.

In a major highlight of the event, the Deputy Speaker announced that 74 young entrepreneurs would each receive grants of ₦500,000, amounting to a total of ₦37 million in support funding. He noted that the initiative builds on the success of previous editions and promised that the number of beneficiaries would increase in subsequent years, provided recipients utilize the funds responsibly.

Kalu commended Activate Success International Foundation and its partners for their sustained investment in youth development and entrepreneurship.

Earlier, the Founder of Activate Success International Foundation, Mrs. Love Idoko-Uloko, said the programme was designed to equip young Nigerians with the tools, skills and opportunities needed to drive economic growth and innovation.

“Nigeria does not require a generation that waits for rescue; it requires a generation prepared to build. A generation willing to solve problems, create value, and sustain impact over time,” she said.

She explained that the 2026 summit, themed “Entrepreneurship, Innovation, Courage and Impact,” reflects the urgent need to empower young Nigerians to become active contributors to national development.

“Eleven years ago, we made a deliberate choice to invest in people. Today, we are witnessing the result of that decision,” she added.

Representing Flutterwave, a co-organizer of the event, Ms. Olufunmilayo Olaniyi of the company’s Business Development Department reaffirmed the firm’s commitment to youth empowerment and business growth.

“At Flutterwave, we believe the best investment goes beyond ideas and is shown in the people bold enough to act on them. Economic empowerment isn’t charity; it’s access — access to the right tools, the right markets, and the right systems that don’t limit ambition,” she said.

In addition to the grants announced by the Deputy Speaker, the organizers presented ₦500,000 grants each to 25 young entrepreneurs and distributed five brand-new sewing machines to five young tailors to support and expand their businesses.

The YEEP 2026 Summit attracted a diverse audience of young innovators, business owners, government officials, and development partners who explored practical strategies for scaling youth-led enterprises and integrating them into Nigeria’s broader economic growth agenda.

Stakeholders at the summit agreed that empowering young entrepreneurs remains one of the most sustainable pathways to reducing unemployment, promoting innovation, and accelerating inclusive economic development across the country.